Fredericton man jailed for driving drunk
Nicholas Konnor Gillies, 25, caught impaired at wheel this spring after running red light
A Fredericton man was sentenced to jail time late last week for impaired driving - a mandatory sentence because it was his second conviction for the same crime in recent years.
Nicholas Konnor Gillies, 25, of Beaverbrook Street, pleaded guilty in Fredericton provincial court Friday to a count of impaired driving.
Crown prosecutor Kathleen Jacobs said Gillies came to the attention of police the night of April 10 when a member of the Fredericton Police Force in an unmarked police vehicle observed a black Toyota Rav 4 run a red light.
The officer pulled the Rav 4 over and found Gillies at the wheel, court heard, and the defendant was exhibiting signs of impairment.
The prosecutor said a breathalyzer test later showed he had almost double the legal limit of alcohol in his system.
Jacobs said Gillies has a prior criminal record, including a previous conviction for impaired driving within the last five years.
The Crown had given notice to the defence it would be seeking a greater penalty - a 30-day jail sentence, a mandatory term of incarceration for a second offence.
Defence lawyer Sabrina Winters said her client is employed with the Canadian Forces.
“He understands there’s an addiction issue at play,” she said. “He’s attending AA.”
Judge Scott Brittain imposed the requested 30-day jail stint, to be followed by a two-year prohibition against driving anywhere in Canada.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.